Stamford Hospital Specializes in Surgical Treatments for CAD,
Coronary Bypass and
Arterial Bypass: Bypass surgery utilizes healthy veins or arteries from other parts of the body to build detours (bypasses) around obstructed arteries.
Coronary Angioplasty: In coronary angioplasty, a tube is passed into the narrowed part of your artery, and then a wire with a deflated balloon is sent through the catheter to the blockage or narrowing. The balloon is inflated, compressing the deposits against your artery walls. A mesh tube
(stent) may be left in the artery to help keep the artery open. Drug-eluding stents slowly release medication to help keep the artery open.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
What is Coronary Artery Disease(CAD)?
Caused by a build-up of plaque on the walls of the arteries that results in diminished blood flow through the heart, coronary artery disease is the most common serious cardiac disease diagnosis. CAD can cause chest pain (angina), heart attack, arrhythmia or heart failure.
What causes Coronary Artery Disease?
CAD is caused by the accumulation of fatty plaque (atherosclerosis) along the artery walls. Artery plaque is made mostly of cholesterol, other lipids, and fibrous tissue, such as collagen. CAD is believed to block arteries over the course of a lifetime, often beginning at an early age and progressing slowly until the vessels become so blocked (or occluded) that the heart is unable to get adequate blood supply. An unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking and genetics are contributing factors.
What are the symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?
- Chest pain. The chest pain (or angina) that characterizes CAD is often described as feeling like someone is standing on your chest, or as an intense pressure, tightness or burning. Often brought on by physical or emotional stress, the pain may go away when the stress stops. Pain may also be experienced in the upper abdomen, back, arm, shoulder or neck.
- Shortness of breath. If your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may develop symptoms of heart failure — shortness of breath, extreme fatigue with exertion, and swelling in your feet and ankles.
- Heart attack. A completely blocked coronary artery may result in a heart attack. The classic symptoms of a heart attack include crushing pain in your chest, pain in your shoulder or arm, sweating and shortness of breath. Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience other warning signs of a heart attack, including nausea and back or jaw pain. Sometimes a heart attack occurs without any apparent signs or symptoms.
How is Coronary Artery Disease treated?
Coronary Artery Disease treatment options can include lifestyle change, medication and surgical procedures, depending on the severity of your condition.
For more on treating coronary artery disease. »Go
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).